Funded by the German Research Foundation, Duration: 1/2025 - 12/2027 (36 months)

Partners: TUC - Mess- und Sensortechnik, Prof. Dr. Michael Mehring (TUC, Coordination Chemistry), Prof. Igor Pasti (University of Belgrade, Serbia), Various collaborators in Germany, Serbia, Italy, and Tunisia

Objective: The HOC-SENSE project aims to develop non-enzymatic, electrochemical sensors for the direct detection of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs), such as brominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls, in environmental samples. Using oxamide-based complexes (OXCs) hybridized with nanomaterials (graphene, TiO2, conductive polymers), the project targets robust, selective, and sensitive detection of persistent pollutants. The innovative sensors reduce the potential required for HOC reduction and enhance sensor performance by facilitating electron transfer. Demonstrators include poly [Ni2(oxamide)] modified electrodes for lindane detection and functionalized laser-induced graphene electrodes for improved sensitivity.

Funded by DIANA Alliance, Duration: 1/2023 - 12/2024 (24 months)

Partners: Fraunhofer ENAS, Fraunhofer IWU, TUC - Mess- und Sensortechnik, Saralon (SME)

Objective: The Print4POC project aims to develop a technology platform for functional printing of actuator and sensor elements in microfluidic point-of-care (PoC) systems. The focus is on replacing conventional, resource-intensive subtractive methods with additive printing technologies such as screen printing and aerosol jet printing. Various substrates (including sustainable materials like bioplastics) in 2D, 2.5D, and 3D forms will be functionalized. As a demonstrator, a biospecific screen-printed biosensor based on functionalized MWCNTs and gold nanoparticles will be developed for detecting prostate cancer biomarkers. This innovative approach allows for selective DNA immobilization and ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of PSA and IL-6.

Funded by DAAD - Project-Related Personal Exchange Program, Duration: 1/2025 - 12/2026 (24 months)

Partners: Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany), Federal University of Parana (Brazil)

Objective: The SAFE project aims to develop an innovative EC-SERS sensor array for the simultaneous detection of four major pesticide classes: organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorides, and pyrethroids. Building on previous bilateral research (INSIDE project), this project integrates laser-reduced graphene oxide (LrGO) electrodes, metal nanoparticles, and advanced chemometric machine learning algorithms to create highly sensitive, selective, and energy-efficient hybrid detection systems. Through systematic surface optimization, density functional theory (DFT) analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the project fosters the creation of robust detection platforms while promoting the international training and mobility of young researchers.

Funded by DAAD / International Cooperation Program, Duration: 1/2025 - 12/2026 (24 months)

Partners: Germany: Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC), EvoSmarTec GmbH, Mali: University of Science, Technique and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), CERFILTEX, DONYATEK SARL, Egypt: (Partner universities involved via PhD mobility)

Objective: The OASIS project (Open Innovation Alliance for Sustainable Islamic Societies in Water and Health) aims to foster interdisciplinary research, innovation, and capacity building in the areas of water and health through international cooperation between Germany, Mali, and Egypt. Core objectives include PhD student exchanges, joint innovation schools and camps, and industrial internships to address societal challenges in water and healthcare using open innovation methodologies. The project emphasizes mutual learning and co-creation between academic and non-academic stakeholders through hands-on training, joint research, and networking.

Nitramon is funded by the SAB from European funds, duration 7/2018-6/2021

Partners: TUC measurement and sensor technology, TUC numerical mathematics, TUC control technology and system dynamics, TUC supramolecular chemistry

Aim: The focus of the research project lies in the implementation and investigation of a sensor system for the detection of nitrate and measurement of the nitrate concentration. In addition, a self-sufficient sensor network is to be developed with which it is possible both to supply the nitrate sensors with ambient energy, for example from sunlight or temperature gradients, and to continuously record the sensor data and wirelessly transmit it to a central location for evaluation.

With the developed sensor concept, a continuous monitoring of nitrate in the soil is possible. Due to the self-sufficient energy supply, the sensor system works maintenance-free and efficiently. A field or farm-related assignment of nitrate input is possible through suitable placement of the sensors and a suitable measuring point density. This sensor thus serves both as a control instrument both for farmers to evaluate the soil conditions as a basis for determining the fertilizer requirements for the respective crop and the necessary nutrient input and for the responsible environmental authorities to evaluate the nitrate content in soil to protect water bodies and comply with the rules on fertilization according to good professional practice, e.g. B. Compliance with distances to water bodies or fertilization black-out periods. This needs assessment results in cost savings through optimal fertilization while protecting the soil at the same time.

Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), duration: 1/2021 - 12/2023 (36 months)

Partner: TUC - measurement and sensor technology, Tomsk University (Russia)

Objective: Pesticides are among the problematic pollutants found in water, food and soil as they accumulate in the environment and pose a serious risk to humans. The gold standard approaches of analytical chemical detection are expensive and laborious. Electrochemical methods (EC), such as B. the impedance spectroscopy and the voltammetric methods are inexpensive and quantitative, are often used in analytical chemistry, but usually have a low selectivity. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is highly sensitive and detects chemical "fingerprints" of molecules, but faces critical challenges when it comes to performing quantitative analysis. The combination of the two measurement principles in one measurement method offers the possibility of gaining more specific and quantifiable information about complex analytes, improving sensitivity and realizing synergy effects. However, it presents some challenges due to the expected dependency of the two methods. The electric potential affects surface properties, ion concentration, and charge transfer between analytes, thereby also affecting SERS enhancement. The photoinduced effects, such as photocatalytic reactions on plasmonic surfaces, can generate new products that offer new opportunities to obtain additional information about the complex mixtures by analyzing these products electrochemically. In this project, the combination of EC methods with SERS for the ultrasensitive label-free detection of analytes in complex mixtures will be investigated. It aims to answer fundamental questions raised by this dual-sensing approach regarding feasibility, configuration, prospective specificity and quantification limits in depth and to identify synergistic effects and mutual influences in pesticide detection. The knowledge acquired should form the basis for novel and cost-effective portable, highly specific and ultra-sensitive sensor systems.

Funded by the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM), duration: 6/2021 - 12/2023 (30 months)

Partners: TUC measurement and sensor technology, Hegewald Medical Products GmbH, Lichtenberg, Germany

Aim: Development of a miniaturized combined biomass, pH and oxygen sensor that will be integrated into scalable single-use bioreactors. As part of the project by TUC and Hegewald Medizinprodukte GmbH (HMP), a miniaturized combined biomass, pH and oxygen sensor is to be developed, which will be integrated into scalable single-use bioreactors. Controlled growth of cells, bacteria or other viable biomass in a bioreactor is necessary to verify and validate the development results. During growth, the growth conditions should be controlled and reference measurements must be made to compare the results from the sensors with well-defined reference values from commercial sensors.